Finding a Model Agency: Ignore Ads and Compare Agencies
Finding the right model agency isn’t so easy for a lot of people. But the search is actually quite simple if you keep a few basic things in mind. That’s why we asked our head booker today to give us some practical tips for finding the ideal model agency!
Tip Number 1: Search Engines
When you start looking for a model agency, search engines are your first port of call. Why exactly is that? Agencies that take good care of their models also maintain a high-quality online presence for clients. Whether that’s their own website showcasing the models’ portfolios, or their social media presence, from TikTok to Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. There’s a lot to do in marketing for a model agency. On top of the online channels, of course, there are live events and much more. Anyone who maintains their website properly is probably also putting a lot of effort into many other aspects. With a simple search like “model agency Berlin,” you can find all the important agencies from Berlin in a split second.
Important: Watch Out for Ads
When you start your search on portals like this, always watch out for ads. The top spots are often booked by paid partnerships. These partners and model agencies don’t make it to page one on their own merit, so they buy ad placements instead. So make sure you only click on model agencies that don’t carry an ad label. On Google, for example, you’ll see a small icon with the letters “AD,” which stands for advertising, i.e. paid promotion.
Model Agencies on Page 2, 3, 4
Many people, when searching for the right model agency, tend to only look at the top spots. Not only are the ads located there, but you’ll also find some interesting model agencies on pages 2, 3, and 4. Especially in big cities like Munich, Berlin, or Hamburg, you’ll find plenty of agencies doing solid work a bit further down the results. Especially if you don’t get into one of the top agencies at the very top right away, you shouldn’t give up your search! As we’ll see later in the chapter on competition, there might currently just be too many people with a look similar to yours. That might be why you didn’t get any feedback from that particular agency. So always keep in mind, you’ll also find genuinely interesting model agencies on pages 2, 3, and 4. In big cities like New York or London, you can sometimes click all the way to page 10 and still find good agencies from that city.
Tip Number 2: Modelagency.one and Models.com
Worldwide, there are two portals where you can find the best model agencies. One is Modelagency.one. The platform is editorially curated, and model agencies can’t buy their way onto it. But Models.com is also a good option. Here, an agency can pay to be listed, but certain criteria still have to be met. It’s worth checking out both sites!
Modelagency.one lists the best model agencies worldwide in the most important cities, as well as the key core countries for models. On the portal you’ll find editorially curated content, meaning every model agency is manually reviewed and added. On the site you’ll find all the important contact details from around the world, whether you’re looking for a good model agency in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. On the individual city pages you’ll also find short descriptions as well as links to social media profiles, so you can check out the agencies directly!
Have you ever heard of Models.com? The platform has been around for a very long time and reviews its listed model agencies very carefully. Among other requirements for a listing, an agency has to represent three models who are already listed on Models.com, which means the agency already has a certain reputation and a good name in the industry.
Here you’ll find a lot of good agencies in different cities around the world. From Amsterdam to Los Angeles to Shanghai.
Important to know: getting listed here costs a lot of money. Not every model agency is willing to spend that much for a link. That’s why many very good agencies aren’t listed here either. Still, you get an excellent overview of most of the top agencies in your city. That’s exactly why it’s worth checking out the site!
Tip Number 3: Model Portfolios
Once you’ve found several good agencies, whether through a search engine or through portals like Models.com or Modelagency.one, we recommend opening each model agency in a new tab. That way you’ll have all the different agencies open in one browser. Next, go to the women’s portfolio on each agency’s site. It’s usually listed under “Women” or “Main.”
With the different tabs open in your browser, you can now compare the individual model agencies directly against each other. This lets you judge the agency based on several criteria.
- How many models does the agency represent? An elite roster of 20 or 30, or a mass roster with over 200?
- Do you see photos from jobs and campaigns for brands you recognize?
- When you compare all the agencies, which one looks the most professional?
- Which agency presents its models as naturally as possible? Who overdoes it with makeup and styling to the point of distracting from the model?
- Are there new faces aged 15 or 16 with an international look?
- Are there experienced models with a huge number of photo shoots in different settings?
Of course, you don’t have to answer all these questions on a checklist or a piece of paper. What matters is keeping them in mind while you look through the different agencies’ portfolios. Once you compare ten or fifteen model agencies with each other, you’ll quickly see which agency offers the best platform for models – and maybe for you too in the future!
Tip Number 4: Competition Within the Agency
As mentioned earlier, one of the best tips we can give you is: don’t give up after your first rejection! Even though you might have the perfect look and the right height to work internationally as a model in cities like Milan, Paris, or New York, every model agency already has existing models. Naturally, they take absolute priority in that regard. So if there are already two or three new faces in your age group with a similar look to yours – say, 1.78m tall with long blonde hair – that internal competition might be why you didn’t get the chance to start with that agency. But you shouldn’t bury your head in the sand and give up! Stay confident and try the next agency right away. What matters is that sooner or later you find a partner you enjoy working with. In America, the United Kingdom, and Germany too, there are many good agencies that will take good care of you!
So always apply to several good agencies at once to increase your chances of getting a modeling contract!
Tip Number 5: News and Blog
After looking at the models’ portfolios, it’s also worth taking a look at the news section, or blog, of the model agency. Here you’ll find current information, for example about the agency’s models, but also news about new jobs, castings, and the agency’s campaigns. The regularity of the posts shows you how much effort the agency puts into its reputation, meaning its public image and marketing! The more informative and comprehensive the blog posts are, the more effort the agency puts in, the more clients they’ll attract to the website, and the more chances you’ll have as a model to land jobs! So also pay attention to interaction and consistency.
Tip Number 6: Social Media
Besides the news on the website, you should of course also always check out the social media channels. For model agencies, Instagram is especially worth a look, since almost every agency is active there! Some agencies are particularly diligent and also run and actively maintain their own YouTube channel. Anyone who knows influencers or bloggers knows that managing a YouTube channel is the biggest challenge. That’s because it’s not just about one photo – you have to offer more complex content, often eight or ten minutes long. The videos have to come out regularly so followers keep coming back. The more regularly a model agency posts and the more it interacts with its fans and followers, the better.
One last tip: not every cover is created equal. A small number of model agencies fake covers. There are also certain magazines, like Vogue Italia’s online platform, where anyone can upload their photos, and each photo then gets a Vogue Italia logo. So having a photo appear there is nowhere near comparable to Vogue USA or Vogue Germany. Still, covers are always a very good indicator for you: has the agency managed to attract models who’ve landed covers, or does the agency exclusively represent models who don’t have any fashion magazine covers yet? If you answer all these questions for yourself, you’ll surely find the ideal model agency for you, your contract, and your career. Good luck from our booking team!
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